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As if there was need for another excuse to avoid UK connections. Yet leave it to pols to find one. 🙂

I think some of the best and brightest staff the ticket booths at BTS and MRT stations. No matter how I manage to mangle the name of my destination, they still deal out the correct token and provide correct change in record time—and always with a thank you. Same for the ladies who collect bus fares.

They certainly all look sufficiently Russian. Perhaps Feenstra thought they’d assimilate through proximity alone.

From The Thaiger Kamala Beach in Phuket found itself in a murky situation, the main canal has turned black and is producing an unpleasant smell. Visitors to the beach, some international tourists, watched in dismay as the polluted water flowed freely into the sea. The sight of the blackened water has led to numerous headshakes and raised eyebrows. A particularly concerned tourist even questioned why local authorities hadn’t taken any action against this glaring issue. This beach is renowned in Phuket and attracts a significant number of visitors. The sight and smell of the polluted canal are not only a nuisance to tourists but also tarnish the image of this renowned beach. Interestingly, despite the harsh reality of the polluted water, many foreign tourists were seen enjoying their time in the water. However, a significant number did their best to steer clear of the black water seeping into the sea, reported Phuket News.

From Pattaya News The Pattaya International Kite on the Beach 2024, touted as Thailand’s longest beachside international kite festival spanning over 1 kilometer, has kicked off on Pattaya Beach today with a dazzling display of vibrant kites and unique designs. Featuring participants from various countries, notable kites include the Tabrix, a blue dragon-shaped kite from Germany, the Wyverex, a green dragon-themed kite, and the Sea Dragon, all showcasing advanced craftsmanship and considered among the world’s most valuable dragon kites. A highlight of this year’s festival is the unique beach-themed kites crafted by experienced Australian designers, marking their first-ever display in Thailand. Additionally, the event boasts the participation of the renowned French Kite Whale Team, adding an international flavor to the festival. The event takes place from February 22nd to 26th, 2024, along the Pattaya Beachfront, near Central Pattaya Shopping Mall.

From Pattaya News On February 21st, 2024, Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat Lakboon, the Secretary-General of the Office of the Thai Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), launched a search operation together with 200 officers in the Nana area, Bangkok, to deter and prevent narcotic crimes. Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat publicly revealed that locals filed complaint reports of witnessing a group of foreigners selling illicit substances to Thai and foreign tourists in the Nana area, causing insecurity in life. Previously, there was a case of a Swiss tourist found dead from taking exceeding doses of cocaine. Upon police investigation, it was found that the Swiss tourist bought the illicit substance from a group of West African people in the Nana area, according to Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat. In a week of police inspection, six West African suspects allegedly linked to a drug trafficking network were captured with cocaine and heroin, and property in dispute worth more than 4.6 million baht, according to Pol. Lt. Gen. Panurat.

From Thai PBS World / Radio Free Asia (RFA) A Chinese-owned hotel in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, was forced to terminate its ring-toss game, in which Chinese men took turns tossing hoops at young Lao women to win wine and beer, according to Radio Free Asia. The decision was made after a short video of the game went viral and received angry comments criticizing the treatment of women in such a manner. RFA reported that the video showed a dozen young Lao women standing still on steps outside the building as a group of Chinese men took turns throwing hoops at them, hoping to ring their bodies for cans and bottles of beer, wine, or spirits they held. The video was posted on February 15 on the Facebook page of Joseph Akaravong. He questioned why Lao officials allowed the hotel to use women as part of a game, asking, “What does the Lao Women’s Union say about this kind of action? Isn’t it illegal? It’s not like stealing values. Are these people human?” The post received more than 4,000 comments and 3,300 shares, with most people denouncing it as inappropriate behavior that degraded the women’s dignity. “We only see this activity at festivals where vendors use ducks as prizes, not to use humans to hold prizes,” one Lao citizen, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution, told RFA. “The majority of Laotians view this activity as demeaning to Lao women and girls. It is very heartless.” According to RFA, many Laotians also resent the influx of Chinese people who have poured into the landlocked country in recent decades to set up businesses, build large-scale infrastructure projects, and even engage in illegal activities.

There seems to be some confusion about overheard wires and this incident While just about all of the subway lines in the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx are underground, much of those in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens are above ground. Trains get their power through a third (conductor) rail and not overhead power lines.

From Thai News Agency Cambodia’s Supreme Privy Council President Hun Sen today visited his long-time friend former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at his residence in Bangkok, marking an important visit as the first significant guest to visit Thaksin since he was released on parole on February 18 after serving half of a one-year sentence. The text accompanying the photos is in Khmer and translates to Thai as: “I came to visit my brother Thaksin in Bangkok. Despite being unwell, he warmly welcomed me. Ung Ing, his youngest daughter and the leader of the Pheu Thai Party was also there to join us. “To strengthen our close relationship, I invited Ung Ing to visit Cambodia on March 14-15.” Dating back to 1992, the relationship between Thaksin and Samdech Hun Sen began before Thaksin became Prime Minister. Thaksin once said that Hun Sen is like a brother and that Cambodia is like another home during difficult times. Meanwhile, Hun Sen stated that Thaksin is like an elder brother to him. During the period when Thaksin lived abroad in self-exile, Hun Sen appointed him as his personal advisor and economic advisor to the Cambodian government. ===================== NOTE — I find it difficult to follow the family ever-expanding grip on the control of the Cambodia government. And I’m not ant all sure this article makes it any more clear. From AFP Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia’s parliament on Wednesday approved ex-ruler Hun Sen’s youngest son as a deputy prime minister, the latest member of the family to be promoted since the former leader handed the reins to his eldest son Hun Manet. Hun Sen stepped down in August after nearly four decades of ruling Cambodia with an iron fist, handing power to Hun Manet following a landslide win in national polls held without any significant opposition parties. The government, formed by Hun Manet last year, now includes a number of relatives, with several children of Hun Sen’s allies also holding top jobs. All 120 lawmakers, including Hun Sen, endorsed 41-year-old civil service minister Hun Many as a deputy PM on Wednesday at the request of Hun Manet. There are ten other deputy PMs already serving. Hun Manet told lawmakers the promotion of his youngest brother was in line with the need to achieve the “highest efficiency of the government’s policy”, with his goal to turn Cambodia into a high-income country by 2050. Among the ten other deputy PMs is Hun Sen’s nephew Neth Savoeun, a former national police chief. Hun Sen’s second son Hun Manith, 42, is the head of the defence ministry’s military intelligence unit and a deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. After coming to power in 1985, Hun Sen helped modernise a country devastated by civil war and genocide. Critics say his rule has also been marked by environmental destruction, entrenched graft and the elimination of nearly all political rivals.

From Thai PBS World The opposition Move Forward party has vowed to continue to push for a bill seeking to allow members of the LGBTQ community to choose their own honorific name prefixes, after it was shot down in parliament on Wednesday. Move Forward party-list MP Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat said that the party will not back off from its push for the passage of the bill in the next parliamentary session, adding that they are supportive of LGBTQ people. Another Move Forward MP, Paramee Waichongcharoen, said that his highest dream is that, one day, he can remove the prefix “Mister” from his name. He questioned the sincerity of government coalition parties and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin regarding equal rights for the LGBTQ community. The House of Representatives rejected the bill by 256:152 votes, with one abstention, after a lengthy debate. The bill was proposed by Tunyawaj and seconded by several of the party’s MPs. Tunyawaj said that, even though the Constitution guarantees human dignity and gender equality, there is still no law which guarantees the rights of LGBTQ people to choose theirhonorifics and they must accept those associated with their sex at birth or marital status, namely Mr, Mrs or Miss. He said that many LGBTQ individuals are embarrassed bytheir honorifics, as they do not reflect their chosen gender, which also affects their livelihood. In Thailand, transgender individuals cannot change their honorifics, so transgender women must use the prefix ‘Nai’ (Mister) in legal documents and cannot switch to ‘Nang-sao’ (Miss).

From Thai PBS World The Thai and US navies launched a joint operation today, to search for the remains of five crew missing from the sunken HTMS Sukhothai corvette, to salvage some weaponry and to disable some US-made military equipment. A US navy ship, the “Ocean Valor”, from the US naval base in Hawaii, and a flotilla of Royal Thai Navy (RTN) vessels, including the Rattanakosin, two mine sweepers, two frigates and one mid-sized troop carrier, 17 American and 40 Thai divers are involved in the operation. The US navy ship is part of the US military presence in the Cobra Gold military exercise, involving military personnelfrom Thailand, the US and some allies. Thai and foreign reporters will observe the operation from one of the RTN vessels, which left the port in Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan early this morning. RTN Commander-in-Chief Admiral Adoong Pan-iam will also join the observation team and will answer questions from the reporters. The task today is for divers take pictures of the ill-fated Sukhothai vessel, which is resting on the sea bed at a depth of about 50 metres, about 20 nautical miles from the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan. The Sukhothai corvette sank in the Gulf on the night of December 18th, 2022. 22 naval officers and men were killed and five are still unaccounted for, even after extensive searches.

From Pattaya News On February 20th, 2024, at 9:30 PM, Pattaya police discovered the deceased body of a 72-year-old Dutch national identified as Mr. Ronald Paul Pijiman in his room at an 8-story condominium along Thappraya Road. The victim’s identity was disclosed by Pattaya police who had also reportedly contacted the embassy and relatives of the victim. His body was found inside a room on the 4th floor. Inside, investigators observed two glasses on the dining table next to a kitchen knife. No signs of forced entry or disturbance were found. In the bedroom, Mr. Pijiman was found lying face down near the bathroom entrance, deceased for an estimated 3-4 days with blood and bodily fluids on the floor. An examination revealed a wound on his neck. Police found various items on the victim’s bed, including a wooden drawer, two opened soda bottles, a glass, earphones, charging cable, a pen and two false teeth. The room also housed numerous empty soda and plastic coke bottles scattered alongside a notebook. CCTV footage showed Mr. Pijiman entering the room at 10 AM on February 16th and remaining there until the discovery of his body. The cause of his neck injury remains under investigation, with forensic analysis pending to determine if it was self-inflicted or inflicted by another person. Authorities were alerted by a condo security guard who reported a foul odor similar to a dead animal. Although no dead animals were found, the smell led them to Mr. Pijiman’s locked room.

From Pattaya Mail Pattaya is gearing up for a major transformation along the iconic Jomtien Beach. Designed to not only enhance the landscape but also tackle longstanding flooding issues, the project is set to reshape the popular beachfront area. The city has meticulously divided the project into four phases, each addressing specific aspects of the renovation. Phase one will focus on laying HDPE pipes from Family Mart to the Dongtan Curve Police Substation, covering a distance of 1,725 meters, and is slated for completion within 14 months. Subsequent phases will include similar infrastructure improvements along different sections of the beach, encompassing drainage enhancements and installation of essential utilities. Scheduled to commence on March 1, the project will encompass a range of upgrades beyond infrastructure. Landscape adjustments, underground power systems, and drainage improvements will be undertaken to elevate the overall quality of the area. Furthermore, modifications to lighting systems, walkways, and extensive tree planting are planned. The expansion and organization of parking spaces, with an additional 532 spots, will ease congestion and accommodate more visitors. The project also entails burying power lines along the beach for over 4 kilometres and installing High Mast Lighting to enhance safety and illumination. To facilitate the construction, traffic has been reduced to a single lane from Dongtan Curve to Chaiyapruek Intersection since February 15. Motorists are advised to adhere to altered traffic flows on certain roads, including Thappraya Road and Wat Boon Kanchanaram Road, during the construction period.

“???” is apparently a fall back for a multitude of boys on the game. It serves as a cover for all kinds of gaffs—intentional, inadvertent or whatever fits situation. Had it used on me a week ago as excuse for missed massage appointment in the form of bear with two question marks above.

With the PM urgently pursuing a cut in the nation’s policy rate by at least 25 basis points, the dollar, euro and pound are set to gain against the baht if his efforts are successful. From Thai PBS world Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has urged the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to call a special meeting to review its decision to maintain the policy rate at 2.5%, without waiting until its next scheduled meeting on April 10. In his “X” post on Monday night, the prime minister said that the economic performance figures released by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) clearly show that the Thai economy is at a critical stage and the NESDC secretary-general agreed that it is time for a review of the policy rate. Speaking to the media yesterday, following the release of the NESDC report on the Thai economic situation for the fourth quarter of last year, which projects that GDP growth for last year will be just 1.9%, the prime minister said that it is time to cut the policy rate by at least 25 basis points, to 2.25%, which will help ease the financial burden on people. He said that his position on the policy rate is clear, noting that Thailand’s average GDP growth over the past 10 years has been under 2%, which is lower than its neighbouring countries, and the GDP is likely to shrink further. He also said that his government is unable to disburse the 2024 national budget until April 1, adding that there is no injection of new money these days and Thailand’s GDP has been revised downward by every economic forecasting institution.

From AFP / Thai PBS World Two killed in crush as hundreds queue for passports in Myanmar Yangon, Myanmar – Two people were killed in a crush outside a passport office in Myanmar on Monday, a rescue worker said, as thousands rush to leave the country to escape a junta military service law. Two women aged 52 and 39 died early Monday after hundreds of people surged to get in line at the passport office in second city Mandalay, a rescue worker who arrived at the scene told AFP. “There was a ditch near the crowd. They fell into the ditch and died from a lack of oxygen,” the rescue officer said, requesting anonymity for security reasons. Another woman was slightly injured, the officer said, adding that all three had been selling tokens assigning numbers in the queue. Local media also reported the deaths. Three years after seizing power in a coup, the military is struggling to crush widespread armed opposition to its rule. In recent weeks it has lost territory and control of lucrative trade routes to China to an alliance of ethnic minority armed groups. Earlier this month it said it would enforce a law allowing it to call up all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve in the military for at least two years. The law was written by a previous junta but never used, and it remains unclear how it will be enforced. No details have been given about how those called up would be expected to serve, but many young people are not keen to wait and find out. Last week local media images showed hundreds of people queueing outside the passport office in Mandalay. In commercial hub Yangon thousands of young men and women queued outside the Thai embassy seeking visas to get out of Myanmar last week. Around 13 million people will be eligible to be called up, a junta spokesman said last week, though the military only has capacity to train 50,000 a year. The junta has previously said it is taking measures to arm pro-military militias as it battles opponents across the country — both anti-coup “People’s Defence Forces” (PDFs) and more long-standing ethnic minority armed groups. by Agence France-Presse

From Pattaya News Makha Bucha, the second most important Buddhist day for Thai people, is only a few days away from today, February 19th, 2024. If you’re visiting Thailand during this time, here is what you need to know. What is Makha Bucha? Makha Bucha, which falls on this Saturday, February 24th, commemorates four key events in the Buddha’s life, emphasizing his teachings and principles. Temples hold special ceremonies, including candle processions and chanting, during this day while Thai people observe the occasion by visiting temples, practicing meditation, and abstaining from vices like alcohol and entertainment. What does this mean for our foreign readers? While not expected to participate in religious rituals, it’s important to be mindful of the respectful atmosphere. Dressing modestly when visiting temples is essential, and avoiding loud or disruptive behavior is crucial. Alcohol Sale Ban: Be aware of the nationwide alcohol sale ban on Makha Bucha, which starts from midnight on February 23rd and lasts until midnight on February 24th. Entertainment places like bars and clubs will not be able to operate normally either, and restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and convenience stores are banned from selling alcohol for 24 hrs. Respectful Behavior: Be mindful of noise levels and avoid disruptive activities. Remember, this is a day of reflection and reverence for many Thais.

From NNT South Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) and NASA have launched a joint air quality study across Asia, including Thailand, to investigate the sources of winter air pollution. Announced by the South Korean Ministry of Environment, the research began in South Korea and will extend through Malaysia and Thailand, concluding on March 25. This year’s study, taking place from February to March, looks into the factors behind increased air pollution levels during winter, a shift from the previous study conducted in May to June 2016. The findings from this research are expected to be released in detailed reports that will serve both academic and policy-making purposes. The collaboration will see the Korean research team supporting NASA’s efforts in Asia, with a specific research station set up in Chiang Mai province to analyze the causes and effects of smog occurrences in winter. A remote observatory in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will also assess the performance of the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer, a satellite launched by Korea in 2020 to monitor air quality across 20 Asian countries. The air quality research, which was initiated in the Philippines in early February, will include various phases across South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. This year’s ASIA-AQ (Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality) project significantly expands the scope of the 2016 Korea-United States Air Quality study to include more Asian countries and involves over 500 participants from 45 teams, including research institutes, governmental organizations, and experts.

+1 They offer immigrants the “right” to perform the most dangerous jobs but not the right to citizenship.

Who really cares about an obit you’ll never get to read. Better to die with hard on because we’re all sluts anyway. But if it still bothers you, you can take the safer route. https://www.xvideos.com/video43371617/blowjob_in_the_subway

From The Thaiger A daring and reckless display by two men atop a New York City subway train has become the talk of the online world. The pair engaged in explicit acts in broad daylight, not only shocking onlookers but also creating a serious safety concern. This incident, caught on camera, shows the two individuals performing the dangerous act above the Van Wyck subway while a third person watched from the subway car’s roof edge. The footage reveals the two men on the subway roof as the train crosses an elevated section above the subway. In a brazen act of public indecency, one of the men is seen with his trousers down, clinging to the other with both hands. The second image, taken from a wider angle, captures the two engaged in sexual activity, with the observer sitting on the edge of the train’s roof, looking on. The identities of the individuals involved remain unknown. This incident, caught on camera, shows the two individuals performing the dangerous act above the Van Wyck subway while a third person watched from the subway car’s roof edge. The footage reveals the two men on the subway roof as the train crosses an elevated section above the subway. In a brazen act of public indecency, one of the men is seen with his trousers down, clinging to the other with both hands. The second image, taken from a wider angle, captures the two engaged in sexual activity, with the observer sitting on the edge of the train’s roof, looking on. The identities of the individuals involved remain unknown.

From The Nation The Social Development and Human Security Ministry is holding a workshop next month to address the problem of Thailand’s ageing society. The seminar, “Enhancing the Security of Thai Families through Population Crisis Management”, will be held on March 7 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa explained that the workshop was being held to address the problem of Thailand’s changing demographics. In 2023, Thailand had more than 13 million people aged 60 and above, while the number of newborns was less than 500,000. Over the past two years, the country’s population has dropped by about 35,000 people. If this trend continues, it is believed that Thailand’s population of 66 million people will drop by more than half in less than 50 years. The event will see representatives from different sectors, including government, private sector and NGOs, coming together to exchange ideas and explore strategies to boost the population. “It’s not as simple as getting two people to live together, but rather the focus is on creating a society that is happy and fosters warmth and stability for the next generation. The aim is to give them the desire to start families, have descendants and ultimately increase the population,” Varawut said. The conclusion of the discussion will be presented to the Cabinet in early April, and later in the month, the ministry will present the information to the United Nations. The aim is to make the global community aware that Thailand is taking steps to address issues with the population structure, a challenge faced by many countries worldwide.

From Pattaya Mail Thailand’s Ministry of Culture will hold the “World Songkran Festival” activities nationwide from 1 to 21 April 2024. This 21-day Songkran Festival will be organized with a cultural network in 76 provinces and 50 districts in Bangkok, which is expected to promote local traditions and help it become one of the world’s renowned destinations for travelers. Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, originally observed as a three-day national holiday from 13 to 15 April. The main activities are the pouring of scented water onto sacred Buddha images and the palms of one’s parents, as well as the famous water-splashing activity. The Ministry of Culture has received a certificate from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that recognizes the Songkran Festival in Thailand as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. (NNT)

The only one it seemes that’s insured against loss is the issuing company 😩 From Pattaya News Medical Coverage For Foreigners is Encouraging, But Won’t Apply to Many Incidents By Adam Judd Last week, the Thai government announced something that seemed to go under the radar of many of our readers and the media, perhaps drowned out a bit by the parole of Thaksin Shinawatra or neverending U-turns on the status of the Cannabis Draft Law. That something is medical coverage for foreign tourists, with some conditions. Get a recap of the official press release from the Thai Government PR department here before reading further if you aren’t sure what we are referring to. This is decent news but as always with programs like this, there are a lot of fine print and regulations. Quality personal health insurance from a reputable company would always be preferable to an official government plan, of course. However, the fact the government is even implementing this program at all is certainly a positive thing. So, we covered the basics of the plan in another article as stated above, this article will mainly focus on what it won’t cover. It won’t cover illegal or reckless behaviour. So despite being one of the most reported incidents in which foreigners need health insurance, if you were driving a motorbike without a proper license, helmet, vehicle insurance, registration, or under the influence while driving, or driving recklessly/speeding, you won’t be covered. Of course, this is the same with most health insurance plans but continues to be one of the things most brought up. The incident needs to be submitted within fifteen days to the proper tourism authority division. If you aren’t fast, you won’t be approved. They say approval and funds should normally be processed within fifteen business days after that. Since it doesn’t cover reckless behaviour, it’s pretty much a given that any accident that happened while under the influence of alcohol, such as falling off a balcony drunk, won’t be covered. Getting in a drunken fight that was caused by one being intoxicated and coaxing others into a physical altercation also likely won’t be covered. This also goes for any incident under the influence of marijuana, since technically it’s only supposed to be for medical usage. The plan doesn’t cover risky behaviour, but also isn’t specific as to what this entails, leaving it to the discretion of the decision makers behind the plan. It is pretty much a given however that some of the more extreme or sports activities people occasionally participate in like jet skiing, white water rafting, free diving, skydiving, etc. are almost certainly not going to be covered. So what is covered? Genuine accidents, such as being a passenger in a minivan or bus that has an accident. Natural disasters, such as a flash flood and similar situations. A crime, such as being mugged and assaulted for your valuables. Regardless of the limitations, it is always good to have options when disaster strikes. We hope you enjoyed reading this!